Dubia Colony GABF

[Kickinwing]

My GABF almost eats as much as my dog. So I really need to start some sort of colony of some sorts. And with tons of research iv found that Dubia are my best option. I just have a few questions before I blow 50+ bucks on roaches and supplies.

1. How many should I get? I was thinking of getting 200 mixed sized Dubia, but is that enough? I can't find any info on GABF/roach colonies. Am I crazy for thinking 200 would be a good start?

2. What size tub will I need for such a big colony? For some reason I can't find any straight answers for this.

3. Can I add roaches over time? Like lets say I can only get 300 this time, could I add another 100 later on when I get paid?

And again, sorry I'm always asking questions. I really do check the internet as much as possible before asking.

[Thevacantface]

It will really depend on how much your frog actually eats. I think 200 mixed is probably going to be a bit slim if it eats a lot. I would recommend 500 large nymphs, separate out 200 and leave them be as breeders. You can easily keep them in plastic storage tubs from whatever big box store, just cut in screened openings on the top for air circulation. You can always add more roaches if needed, but if you get a good breeding colony going you wont have to. You can also feed out the majority of adult males from your breeders as they mature, you only need maybe a 1:5 ratio of male to female.

[Kickinwing]

Thanks. The large sized ones are a little pricey. I'm literally 97 cents away from getting 200, so ill have to start with just 100. It'll definitely be a little bit longer before I manage to get 500.

Is 24$ a good price for 100 large Dubia nymphs?

[Thevacantface]

I think I was able to get mine for under 20 cents each, but I also ordered a larger quantity than 100. Where are you located?

[Kickinwing]

Yeah, the place I'm looking at goes down in price the more you buy.

and i'm located in Michigan.

[Thevacantface]

I would be very leery about purchasing them online this time of year for where you live. I'm in California and mine got held up in shipping, even with it not being that cold a lot of them died. The seller made it right by sending more, but it's always something to be concerned about. Also, if you don't have the money to spend on the larger quantity, do you have it to spend on the extra heat lamp, container, and food that they are going to require? Not trying to discourage you from getting them at all, in fact I am highly recommending it as they are easier, cleaner, quieter, and overall better for your frog than crickets, and once established, are an extremely cheap food source that will pay itself off rather quickly. It's just a matter of making the proper initial investment. If you can get the 100, and the setup going now, and save up for a batch of about 500 in a couple months, then by all means, go forward with it.

[habeeb]

i started with 100 females,10 males, and 50 mixed sizes and didnt have a decent amount to start feeding out of till around 6-8 months....u want the colony to get to about 1000 roaches b4 feeding out of them....i was only feeding one pacman frog and one pixie

[Kickinwing]

I already have all the supplies needed to keep them alive and healthy (heat mat, tub, egg crates). I just had left over money on my prepaid card and needed some roaches for my gecko. Thought id get as many as possible and start my colony, then just add more sometime after Christmas or something.

I wouldn't buy online unless I had to. It's either take the risk and order online, or wait around and hope I run across some. I wanna get started as soon as possible. I definitely under estimated the amount of food these guys eat. It's unreal.

[habeeb]

ordering online isnt too bad....roaches are pretty tough...i had some before in a air tight container and forgot to poke holes in it....thought all 300 of them died...but open the container and overnight they all came back to running around and eating....and ive also had some in my car for like 10 hours in 20 degree F weather and they seemed stiff but came back to normal after i got i brought them into the house

[atlpiggy]

i started my colony with about 1500 mixed dubias. I had two 5 month old GABF one male one female. I believe if i did not start with the amount i did i wouldnt have been able to keep up with their feeding. Colony is now thriving 3000+.

[stinax182]

You want to buy as many as possible really. They take many months to mature and breed. I bought 200 to start and couldn't actually feed out of it for 6-8 months. And as for buying some... Maybe there's a reptile show around you? If so, they sell them there and that would be the safest way to transport them. Or you could look at your local Craigslist. I'm in Ma and was lucky enough to find someone who has a giant colony that he sells out of nearby.